Packaging insert for military cap



June 4, 1957 SHAMBERG 2,794,543

PACKAGING INSERT FOR MILITARY CAP Filed April e, 1956 United Sta es Patent PACKAGHNG INSERT non MILITARY CAP Morris F. Shamherg, Framingham, Mass, assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The invention relates to the packaging of head gear and more particularly to the packaging of military caps of the type known as service or dress caps and which include a visor, an annular side frame and a flexible crown, the visor and frame being relatively stiff but not necessarily rigid. Specifically the invention is intended to be an improvement over the invention of U. S. Patent No. 2,725,977, dated December 6, 1955. That patent provides a packaging insert for a carton which includes a platform above the carton floor and formed with an opening having close fit with the cap frame with the cap visor disposed below the platform and the crown being disposed above the same. As the opening has a close fit with the frame, platforms with different sized openings are required to accommodate caps of all sizes. Also, the platform is so anchored in the carton as to offer little or no resistance to upward movement of the cap and platform relative to the carton whereby it is possible to damage the crown against the closure of the carton.

In view of these and other objections to the arrangement of Patent No. 2,725,977 aforesaid, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved packaging insert of the class described.

A further object is to provide an improved combination of carton and packaging insert of the class described.

A further object is to provide such a combination wherein a packaging insert having a single sized opening therein is capable of accommodating all standard sizes of caps.

A further object is to provide in a packaging insert as last described, novel means for anchoring the cap thereto and/or novel means for anchoring said insert in said carton.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, in the structure of the several elements thereof, combinations and subcombinations of such elements with each other, and/or with the carton and/or the cap, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing in connection with the following specification wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a packaging insert according to the invention apart from the carton and cap;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through a carton showing the insert of Figure 1 applied thereto, the cap being indicated in broken lines;

Figure 3 is a diagonal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the carton and insert; and,

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the cap and insert 2 apart from the carton and showing a slightly modified cap.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts in all views, 10 designates generally any suitable carton which may include side walls 11, a floor 12 and closure flaps 13. The carton is sized to accommodate all standard sizes of service and dress caps such as the cap 14 illustrated. The cap 14 comprises a forwardly extending visor 9, an annular side frame 15 and a crown 16. The side frame 15 mounts certain radially outwardly extending projections such as the visor 9, a chin strap 17 and a pair of side buttons 18 which anchor the ends of the chin strap 17 to the frame. In the cap of Figure 5 there has been added a nape strap 19 which encircles the rear of the cap and likewise has its ends secured by the buttons 18. As so far described the caps and carton are conventional and form no part of the invention apart from any combination or subcombination claimed hereinafter.

The packaging insert according to the invention is generally designated by 26 and includes a flat platform 21 which is mounted transversely of the carton 10 above the floor 12 thereof by means of at least two upwardly directed resilient tabs orflanges 22 which resiliently engage opposite side walls 11 of the carton so as to resist upward movement of the platform 20 relative to the carton 10. The platform 21 is formed with a central.

opening 23 which is shaped generally the same as the band or frame 15 but which is substantially larger than the annular frame for the largest standard size cap. To secure the cap 14 in the opening 23 the latter has been provided with a circumferential series of spring tongues therearound which extend radially inwardly and downwardly into said opening. In the embodiment illustrated, there is a front tongue 24, two opposed side tongues 25, and a rear tongue 26. Preferably the tongues comprise integral extensions of the platform 21. Also, it is preferred that the front tongue 24 be shorter or less resilient than the side and rear tongues 25 and 26, with the side tongues 25 being shorter or less resilient than the rear tongue 26.

This last feature is important because the cap 14 is secured in the opening 23 by the resilient engagement of the free ends of the tongues with the outer surface of the frame 15. However, the front tongue 24, in addition contacts the frame 15 immediately above the visor 9. By making the front tongue 24 shorter than the rest or otherwise less resilient, it serves to lock the front of the cap 14 against upward movement relative to the insert 20. Likewise, the side tongues 25 engage the frame 15 immediately above the outwardly projecting buttons 18 so as to resist upward movement of the side portions of the cap 14. They are made shorter or less resilient than the rear tongue 26 for the same reason as is the front tongue 24. On the other hand, the rear tongue 26, except in connection with the cap of Figure 5, does not engage above a projection of the frame 15 and its free end merely frictionally engages the cap frame. Also, because it is longer or more resilient than the front and side tongues 24 and 25, it provides for greater flexibility and allows a single sized opening to fit all sizes of caps. Likewise, because the side tongues 25 are longer than the front tongue 24, they readily adjust toframes of various sizes. The front tongue 24 is purposely made the shortest and stiifest because the front of the cap by reason of the visor 9 and a cap ornament, not shown, is much heavier than the rear half of the cap whereby it must be anchored more securely to the insert 20.

In use, the cap 14 is applied to the insert 20 by inserting the visor 9 into the opening 23 until the front tongue 24 seats in the intersection of the visor 9 and frame 15. Thereafter, the rear of the cap is lowered into the opening 23 until the side tongues 25 seat over the projections 18 and the lower'edge of the frame 15 and tip of the visor 9 rest on the floor 12 of the carton 10. To remove the cap from the opening 23, the two side tongues 25 are simultaneously swung outwardly to clear the projecting buttons 18 and the cap is moved rearwardly and upwardly, the resistance of the rear tongue 26 being insufficient to prevent this action normally. However, where, as in Figure 5, a nape strap 19 provides a projection engaged by the rear tongue 26, it is necessary to release and lift the rear of the cap enough to clear the nape strap 19 before the side tongues 25 are released as aforesaid.

The embodiment illustrated shows but four tongues 24, 25, 26, but it is understood that more or less of the same can be utilized. Thus, it is conceivable that other arrangements and numbers of tongues are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

In this connection, while there has been shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred form of the invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of other embodiments and expressions. Thus, the invention is not considered to be limited to the exact structure and arrangement shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a package for a military cap which includes a visor, an annular frame having radially outwardly extending projections, and a crown, the combination with a carton having a floor and side walls; of a packaging insert mounting said cap in said carton against any substantial movement relative thereto, said insert comprising a platform removably mounted in said carton above said floor thereof, said platform being formed with an opening therein, said cap frame being seated in said opening with said visor disposed below said platform and said crown disposed above the same, said opening being substantially larger than said frame, a plurality of spring tongues on said platform, said tongues being spaced circumferentially about said opening and extending radially inwardly and downwardly therein into resilient engagement with said cap frame to anchor said cap in said opening, there being a front tongue engaging said frame forwardly thereof immediately above said visor and a rear tongue engaging said frame rearwardly thereof, and said front tongue being substantially shorter than said rear tongue.

2. In a package for a military cap which includes a visor, an annular frame having radially outwardly extending projections, and a crown, the combination with a carton having a floor and side walls; of a packaging insert mounting said cap in said carton againstany substantial movement relative thereto, said insert comprising a platform removably mounted in said carton above said floor thereof, said platform being formed with an opening therein, said cap frame being seated in said opening with said visor disposed below said platform and said crown disposed above the same, said opening being substantially larger than said frame, a plurality of spring tongues on said platform, said tongues being spaced circumferentially about said opening and extending radially inwardly and downwardly therein into resilient engagement with said cap frame to anchor said cap in said opening, there being a front tongue engaging said frame forwardly thereof immediately above said visor, at least two side tongues engaging said frame laterally thereof immediately above said projections and a rear tongue engaging said frame rearwardly thereof, and said front tongue being substantially shorter than said side and rear tongues.

3. In a package for a military cap which includes a visor, an annular frame having radially outwardly extending projections, and a crown, the combination with a carton having a floor andside' walls; of a packaging insert mounting said cap in said carton against any substantial movement relative thereto, saidinsert comprising a platform removably mounted in said carton above said floor downwardly therein into resilient engagement with said cap frame to anchor said cap in said opening, there being a front tongue engaging said frame forwardly thereof immediately above said visor, at least two side tongues engaging said frame laterally thereof immediately above said projections and a rear tongue engaging said frame rearwardly thereof, said front tongue being substantially shorter than said side and rear tongues, and said side tongues being shorter than said rear tongue.

4. In a package for a military cap which includes a visor, an annular frame having radially outwardly extending projections, and a crown, the combination with a carton having a floor and side walls; of a packaging insert mounting said cap in said carton against any substantial movement relative thereto, said insert comprising a platform removably mounted in said carton above said floor thereof, said platform being formed with an opening therein, said cap frame being seated in said opening with said visor disposed below said platform and said crown disposed above the same, said opening being substantially larger than said frame, a plurality of spring tongues on said platform, said tongues being spaced circumferentially about said opening and extending radially inwardly and downwardly therein into resilient engagement with said cap frame, there being front, rear and side tongues engaging said frame forwardly, rearwardly and laterally thereof, said front and side tongues being shorter than said rear tongue, and at least said front and side tongues engaging said frame immediately above said projections to anchor said cap in said opening.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said front tongue is shorter than said side tongues. I

"6. In a package for a military cap which includes a visor, an annular frame having radially outwardly extending projections, and a crown, the combination with a carton having a floor and side walls; of a packaging insert mounting said cap in said carton against any substantial movement relative thereto, said insert comprising a platform removably mounted in said carton above said floor thereof, said platform being formed withan opening therein, said cap frame being seated in said opening with said visor disposed below said platform and said crown disposed above the same, said opening being substantially larger than said frame, a plurality of spring tongues on said platform, said tongues being spaced circumferentially about said opening and, extending radially inwardly and downwardly therein to resilient engagement with said cap frame to anchor said cap in said opening, there being a front tongue engaging said frame forwardly thereof immediately above said visor and a rear tongue engaging said frame rearwardly thereof, and said front tongue being substantially less resilient than said rear tongue.

7. In a package for a military cap which includes a visor, an annular frame having radially outwardly extending projections, and a crown, the combination with a carton having a fioor and side walls; of apackaging insert mounting said cap in said carton against any substantial movement relative thereto, said insert comprising a platform removably mounted in said carton above said floor thereof, said platform being formed with an opening therein, said cap frame being seated in said opening with said visor disposed below said platform and said crown disposed above the same, said opening being substantially larger than said frame, a plurality of spring tongues on said platform, said tongues being spaced circumferentially about said opening and extending radially inwardly and downwardly therein into resilient engagement with said cap frame to anchor said cap in said opening, there being a front tongue engaging said frame forwardly thereof immediately above said visor, at least two side tongues engaging said frame laterally thereof immediately above said projections and a rear tongue engaging said frame rearwardly thereof, and said front and side tongues being substantailly less resilient than said rear tongue.

8. In a package for a military cap which includes a visor, an annular frame having radially outwardly extending projections, and a crown, the combination with a carton having a floor and side Walls; of a packaging insert mounting said cap in said carton against any substantial movement relative thereto, said insert comprising a platform removably mounted in said carton above said floor thereof, said platform being formed with an opening therein, said cap frame being seated in said opening with said visor disposed below said platform and said crown disposed above the same, said opening being substantially larger than said frame, a plurality of spring 6 tongues on said platform, said tongues being spaced circumferentially about said opening and extending radially inwardly and downwardly therein into resilient engagement with said cap frame to anchor said capin said opening, there being a front tongue engaging said frame forwardly thereof immediately above said visor, at least two side tongues engaging said frame laterally thereof immediately above said projections and a rear tongue engaging said frame rearwardly thereof, said front and side tongues being substantially less resilient than said rear tongue, and said front tongue being less resilient than said side tongues.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,725,977 Lev Dec. 6, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 478,987 Great Britain Jan. 28, 1938 

